I would be hard pressed to tell the differences & maybe happy with any of these DACs barring the IFI. However if I was sitting in the shop to make a purchase I may make the purchase based on my opinion below.
***I have heard this clip 6 times by now on my near field setup at 85db+ volume.
- For me the first song was pretty inconclusive, everything sounded very similar. The second song is where it was the easiest.
- I had the iFI dac & tested it in 3 different setups, I know how it sounds, sharp & lean. I found this dac very fatiguing.
- I have the RME & I know how it sounds, it is neutral & specially in terms of bass & drums it does a very good job of sounding realistic. This dac also has very good foot tapping rhythm. It is also the DAC everything was being played through in my setup.
- I have heard the M-DAC+ & owned the AL6000a integrated amp. I love them for how they sound. Though they are pretty boring, as compared to the RME above. On ALs everything 11 sounds like dialled back to 9. That also also makes it a very good all day amp, with zero fatigue and an absolute listening pleasure.
For the ones I have never heard - My take is -
1 - Metrum - Metrum to me was harsh sounding, so everything else sounds like it has taken a back seat.
2 - Audio GD - A very fun sound, not sharp, not bloated, but still foot tapping good.
In this video however, the iFI didn't sound as lean & harsh & M-DAC+ sounded like everything had slowed down a bit, with a lot of loose bass; Which is not the case in reality.
& for me, IF this video is my only source, I would go with either RME or Audio GD.
***I have heard this clip 6 times by now on my near field setup at 85db+ volume.
- For me the first song was pretty inconclusive, everything sounded very similar. The second song is where it was the easiest.
- I had the iFI dac & tested it in 3 different setups, I know how it sounds, sharp & lean. I found this dac very fatiguing.
- I have the RME & I know how it sounds, it is neutral & specially in terms of bass & drums it does a very good job of sounding realistic. This dac also has very good foot tapping rhythm. It is also the DAC everything was being played through in my setup.
- I have heard the M-DAC+ & owned the AL6000a integrated amp. I love them for how they sound. Though they are pretty boring, as compared to the RME above. On ALs everything 11 sounds like dialled back to 9. That also also makes it a very good all day amp, with zero fatigue and an absolute listening pleasure.
For the ones I have never heard - My take is -
1 - Metrum - Metrum to me was harsh sounding, so everything else sounds like it has taken a back seat.
2 - Audio GD - A very fun sound, not sharp, not bloated, but still foot tapping good.
In this video however, the iFI didn't sound as lean & harsh & M-DAC+ sounded like everything had slowed down a bit, with a lot of loose bass; Which is not the case in reality.
& for me, IF this video is my only source, I would go with either RME or Audio GD.